This is an establishing story … please refresh page for updates as the Twitter thread unrolls.
Another “Twitter Files” dropped on Thursday afternoon.
Journalist Matt Taibbi launched Part 14: The Russiagate Lies: The Fake Tale of Russian Bots
1. THREAD: Twitter Files #14
THE RUSSIAGATE LIES
One: The Fake Tale of Russian Bots and the #ReleaseTheMemo Hashtag— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
2. At a turning point in a years-long furor, Democrats knocked a report about defects in the Trump-Russia examination, stating it was increased by Russian “bots” and “giants.”
https://t.co/0PUOm212 iv a turning point in a years-long furor, Democrats knocked a report about defects in the Trump-Russia examination, stating it was enhanced by Russian “bots” and “giants.”
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
3. Twitter authorities were aghast, discovering no proof of Russian impact:
” We are feeding congressional giants.”
“Not any … considerable activity linked to Russia.”
“Putting the cart prior to the horse presuming this is propaganda/bots.”
3. Twitter authorities were aghast, discovering no proof of Russian impact:
” We are feeding congressional giants.”
” Not any … considerable activity linked to Russia.”
” Putting the cart prior to the horse presuming this is propaganda/bots.” pic.twitter.com/r8O21 QacME— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
4. Twitter cautioned political leaders and media the not just did not have proof, however had proof the accounts weren’t Russian– and were roundly neglected.
4. Twitter alerted political leaders and media the not just did not have proof, however had proof the accounts weren’t Russian– and were roundly disregarded.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
5. On January 18 th, 2018, Republican Devin Nunes sent a categorized memo to your home Intel Committee detailing abuses by the FBI in acquiring FISA security authority versus Trump-connected figures, consisting of the vital function played by the notorious “Steele Dossier”:
5. On January 18 th, 2018, Republican Devin Nunes sent a categorized memo to your home Intel Committee detailing abuses by the FBI in getting FISA monitoring authority versus Trump-connected figures, consisting of the important function played by the notorious “Steele Dossier”: pic.twitter.com/uhl7TXYsBC
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
6. The Nunes assertions would practically all be confirmed in a report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in December 2019.
6. The Nunes assertions would essentially all be validated in a report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in December2019 pic.twitter.com/uLFHwbsiJe
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
7. Nationwide media in January and early February of 2018 knocked the Nunes report in strangely similar language, calling it a “joke”:
7. Nationwide media in January and early February of 2018 knocked the Nunes report in strangely similar language, calling it a “joke”: pic.twitter.com/IkTXRGrfaH
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
On January 23 rd, 2018, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) released an open letter stating the hashtag “got the instant attention and help of social media accounts connected to Russian impact operations.”
9. On January 23 rd, 2018, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) released an open letter stating the hashtag “acquired the instant attention and support of social networks accounts connected to Russian impact operations.” pic.twitter.com/kOC3ab6mXS
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
Feinstein/Schiff stated the Nunes memo “misshapes” categorized info, however note they didn’t call it inaccurate.
9b. Feinstein/Schiff stated the Nunes memo “misshapes” categorized details, however note they didn’t call it inaccurate. pic.twitter.com/3ZMVM6XH9p
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
10 Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal did the same, releasing a letter stating, “We discover it remiss that Russian representatives have actually so excitedly controlled innocent Americans.”
10 Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal did the same, releasing a letter stating, “We discover it guilty that Russian representatives have actually so excitedly controlled innocent Americans.” pic.twitter.com/pwA1MAQ84 t
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
11 Feinstein, Schiff, Blumenthal, and media members all indicated the very same source: the Hamilton 68 control panel produced by previous FBI counterintelligence authorities Clint Watts, under the auspices of the Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD).
11 Feinstein, Schiff, Blumenthal, and media members all indicated the exact same source: the Hamilton 68 control panel produced by previous FBI counterintelligence authorities Clint Watts, under the auspices of the Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD). pic.twitter.com/sifFJhBTn6
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
12 The control panel, which included an unrefined photo of Vladimir Putin deviously blowing wicked red Twitter birds into the environment, was unclear in how it reached its conclusions.
12 The control panel, which included an unrefined photo of Vladimir Putin deviously blowing wicked red Twitter birds into the environment, was unclear in how it reached its conclusions. pic.twitter.com/bSrfMfSVi6
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
13 Inside Twitter, executives panned Watts, Hamilton 68, and the Alliance for Securing Democracy. 2 crucial problems: Hamilton 68 appeared to be everybody’s only source, and nobody was talking to Twitter.
13 Inside Twitter, executives panned Watts, Hamilton 68, and the Alliance for Securing Democracy. 2 essential problems: Hamilton 68 appeared to be everybody’s only source, and nobody was consulting Twitter.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
14 “I motivate you to be hesitant of Hamilton 68’s handle this, which as far as I can inform is the only source for these stories,” stated Global Policy Communications Chief (and future WH and NSC representative) Emily Horne.
She included: “It’s a comms bet ASD.”
14″ I motivate you to be hesitant of Hamilton 68’s handle this, which as far as I can inform is the only source for these stories,” stated Global Policy Communications Chief (and future WH and NSC representative) Emily Horne.
She included: “It’s a comms bet ASD.” pic.twitter.com/PZRZC51 K7f
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
15 “All the swirl is based upon Hamilton,” stated Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth.
15″ All the swirl is based upon Hamilton,” stated Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth. pic.twitter.com/xqJxVM3knb
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
16 “If ASD isn’t going to fact-check with us, we must do not hesitate to remedy the record on their work,” stated Policy VP Carlos Monje.
16″ If ASD isn’t going to fact-check with us, we ought to do not hesitate to fix the record on their work,” stated Policy VP Carlos Monje. pic.twitter.com/fwGgTYt7SN
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
17 Roth could not discover any Russian connection to #ReleaseTheMemo– at all. “I simply examined the accounts that published the very first 50 tweets with #releasethememo and … none reveal any indications of association to Russia.”
17 Roth could not discover any Russian connection to #ReleaseTheMemo— at all. “I simply evaluated the accounts that published the very first 50 tweets with #releasethememo and … none reveal any indications of association to Russia.” pic.twitter.com/wJJ3rmI3Ks
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
18 “We examined, discovered that engagement as extremely natural, and driven by VITs”– Very Important Tweeters, consisting of Wikileaks and congressman Steve King.
18″ We examined, discovered that engagement as extremely natural, and driven by VITs”– Very Important Tweeters, consisting of Wikileaks and congressman Steve King. pic.twitter.com/Q7Z9DrPWOR
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
19 A staffer for “DiFi”– Feinstein– concurred it would be “valuable to understand” how Hamilton 68 passes “the procedure by which they choose an account is Russian.”
But, just AFTER Feinstein released her letter about Russian impact.
19 A staffer for “DiFi”– Feinstein– concurred it would be “handy to understand” how Hamilton 68 passes “the procedure by which they choose an account is Russian.”
But, just AFTER Feinstein released her letter about Russian impact. pic.twitter.com/ysPYDuEtOH
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
20 When Twitter spoke with a Blumenthal staffer, they attempted to “wave him off” since “we do not think these are bots.”
20 When Twitter talked to a Blumenthal staffer, they attempted to “wave him off” due to the fact that “we do not think these are bots.” pic.twitter.com/0VGdFRkkOi
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
21 Included another: “It may be worth pushing Blumenthal’s staffer that it might be in his employer’ benefit not to head out there since it might return to make him look silly.”
21 Included another: “It may be worth pushing Blumenthal’s staffer that it might be in his manager’ benefit not to head out there due to the fact that it might return to make him look silly.” pic.twitter.com/tP6VZF0PPC
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
22 One Twitter officer even attempted to work out, suggesting a concealed future PR concession if Blumenthal would lay off on this:
” It appears like there are other wins we might use him.”
https://t.co/W7riHUVMyn Twitter officer even attempted to work out, indicating a concealed future PR concession if Blumenthal would lay off on this:
” It looks like there are other wins we might provide him.” pic.twitter.com/Kdf1EebXcV
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
23 Blumenthal released his letter anyhow.
23 Blumenthal released his letter anyhow.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
24 Officers ultimately grew annoyed over what they viewed as a circular procedure– provided with claims of Russian activity, even when rejected, caused more claims.
24 Officers ultimately grew disappointed over what they viewed as a circular procedure– provided with claims of Russian activity, even when rejected, resulted in more claims.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
25 They revealed this clearly to Blumenthal’s camp, stating “Twitter invested a great deal of resources” on this demand and the benefit from Blumenthal should not be round after round of demands.”
” We can’t do a user notification each time this takes place.”
25 They revealed this clearly to Blumenthal’s camp, stating “Twitter invested a great deal of resources” on this demand and the benefit from Blumenthal should not be round after round of demands.”
” We can’t do a user notification each time this occurs.” pic.twitter.com/pcixoeYIyH
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
26 Ultimately Twitter personnel recognize “Blumenthal isn’t trying to find genuine and nuanced options” however “simply wishes to get credit for pressing us even more.”
26 Ultimately Twitter personnel recognize “Blumenthal isn’t trying to find genuine and nuanced options” however “simply wishes to get credit for pressing us even more.” pic.twitter.com/GbMvgeLH6g
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
27 Eventually senior executives spoke about “feeding congressional giants” and compared their circumstance to the kids’s book, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”
27 Eventually senior executives spoke about “feeding congressional giants” and compared their scenario to the kids’s book, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” pic.twitter.com/xk6reot1lf
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
28 In the story, if you offer a mouse a cookie, he’ll desire a glass of milk, which will result in a wave of other stressful demands, at the end of which he’ll desire a glass of milk. And another cookie.
https://t.co/eOqNK7yE15 the story, if you provide a mouse a cookie, he’ll desire a glass of milk, which will cause a wave of other stressful demands, at the end of which he’ll desire a glass of milk. And another cookie. pic.twitter.com/ySlFfzGt1y
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
29 The metaphor for the unlimited Russia demands was so best, one officer composed, “I’m legitimate ashamed I didn’t think about that very first.”
29 The metaphor for the limitless Russia demands was so best, one officer composed, “I’m legitimate ashamed I didn’t think about that very first.” pic.twitter.com/MbI6XrnS18
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
30 In spite of universal internal conviction that there were no Russians in the story, Twitter went on to follow a slavish pattern of not challenging Russia claims on the record.
30 In spite of universal internal conviction that there were no Russians in the story, Twitter went on to follow a slavish pattern of not challenging Russia claims on the record.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
31 Outdoors counsel from DC-connected companies like Debevoise and Plimpton recommended Twitter to utilize language like, “With regard to specific hashtags, we take seriously any activity that might represent an abuse of our platform.”
31 Outdoors counsel from DC-connected companies like Debevoise and Plimpton recommended Twitter to utilize language like, “With regard to specific hashtags, we take seriously any activity that might represent an abuse of our platform.” pic.twitter.com/DW5nO9Syh5
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
32 As an outcome, press reporters from the AP to Politico to NBC to Rolling Stone continued to hammer the “Russian bots” style, regardless of an overall absence of proof.
https://t.co/OlWGsft3ut an outcome, press reporters from the AP to Politico to NBC to Rolling Stone continued to hammer the “Russian bots” style, in spite of an overall absence of proof. pic.twitter.com/4oPFHjJ4Rh
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) January 12, 2023
The post JUST IN: Another Twitter Files Drop: The Russiagate Lies: The Fake Tale of Russian Bots appeared initially on The Gateway Pundit
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